Support NeoGAF

[Hollywood]

I'dd like to buy a mod chip for ps2, and don't know how to solder. There's no non solder ones for the slimline ps2 anyway, but I'dd still like to learn. Is it hard to do? Where could I buy the stuff to do it, and is there any practice kits out there to buy? Information would be appreciated.

 

[Fuzzy]

Soldering is very easy to do but I suggest you have someone show you how first. You can get everything you need at your local Radio Shack.

 

[tedtropy]

If you can hold a pencil and have an appreciation for melting crap, you've basically got it down. But yeah, have a friend walk you through the finer points, or just ask the really bored guy working the counter at your local Ratty Shack.

 

[Hollywood]

What is the process of soldering? Could you explain it to me a little how it works, give me a little crash course in it?

 

[Fuzzy]

Heat the solder point for a couple of seconds with the soldering iron and then add solder to the point (not the iron) and let go, simple as pie.

 

[Hollywood]

Heat the solder point for a couple of seconds with the soldering iron and then add solder to the point (not the iron) and let go, simple as pie.

What exactly is solder? And don't you have to put a wire to it?

 

[Fuzzy]

What exactly is solder? And don't you have to put a wire to it?

That "wire" is solder. Go to Radio Shack, I think they even have booklets that show you what to do.

 

[Hollywood]

Ah okay, I think I understand now. You melt the metal points on the board and then stick the wire on it to connect it. Yeah I'll go up to radio shack and check it out. Prob can find some stuff on their site even.

 

[ckohler]

I learned to solder when I was only 8 so it should be no trouble. Just be careful to add the solder sparingly your first time.

 

[Hollywood]

I learned to solder when I was only 8 so it should be no trouble. Just be careful to add the solder sparingly your first time.

Sparingly? Whatcha mean?

 

[tedtropy]

Sparingly? Whatcha mean?

Don't glob it on. Use only as much solder as you need for a secure connection. Too much solder and you run the risk of shorting into other contacts and potentially screwing your new mod chip.

 

[Space Age Playboy]

Has anyone tried Cold Heat?

 

[sefskillz]

Heat the solder point for a couple of seconds with the soldering iron and then add solder to the point (not the iron) and let go, simple as pie.

Be careful heating the solder point directly with the iron, especially when working with stuff like a ps2

 

[Phoenix]

Also be careful not to apply too much heat. You can damage the board, the contacts, or nearby electronics by applying too much heat.

 

[ArcadeStickMonk]

Has anyone tried Cold Heat?

Yeah, and I was impressed with it the first coupla times. If you make good contact with both sides of the split tip, then soldering is seriously instant and very clean.

Problem is that my tip kept getting dirty and it was harder and harder to get a connection. Then half of it just fell off out of nowhere.

I got it replaced, and in the next two weeks when I do some more DB15 solders, I'll give it another go.

 

[ArcadeStickMonk]

Remember that the process of soldering is 100% about heat transfer.

If your tip is dirty, it won't melt the solder. TIN YOUR TIP.

If you don't heat up the joint, the solder will not flow to it.



It is a learning process. Get an iron and some wire and just keep practicing until you can easily heat up a joint, touch the solder to it (and not the iron), and do it neatly.

 

[tenchir]

Soldering is only a bitch if you are soldering tiny points. Learning to solder on a PS2 is a really bad idea since all the points are pretty small and it's easy to screw up since a lot of points are really closed together.

 

[Error Macro]

My mom is one of the best solderers in the world probably. She was certified by NASA and was the sole person who soldered everything on some monitoring equipment they placed on the moon.


And yet, I pretty much suck at it. But yeah, it's not really hard to learn, it just takes some practice to get good at it. A lot of practice if you want to make clean looking joints.

 

[psycho_snake]

My mom is one of the best solderers in the world probably. She was certified by NASA and was the sole person who soldered everything on some monitoring equipment they placed on the moon.


And yet, I pretty much suck at it. But yeah, it's not really hard to learn, it just takes some practice to get good at it. A lot of practice if you want to make clean looking joints.

Maybe its best of Hollywood sent his PS2 to your Mom.

Ive only soldered once when making a motion detector in design and technology. I bloody hated it, I cant do it for some reason.

 

[rc213]

Flux Paste/Pen will also help make it a bit easier. I modded my xbox, took me 3hrs but i got it done. So dont rush it, take your time.

 

[8bit]

TIN YOUR TIP.

Best advice in this thread.

 

[aoi tsuki]

Seriously, until you have some practice soldering, and soldering smaller circuits in particular, DO NOT try to solder a PS2 modchip. Your best bet is to take it to a place that does mods, like an import shop, or just send it to a reputable site that does it. If you do decide to DIY, you should have a magnifying glass (one that stands on its own), good lighting, thin solder, and a tiny tip.

i can't think of a good beginner's soldering project outside of an actual circuit. Most of the pins (the "legs") on the chips you can buy locally are larger than those custom ones they use in consoles, so it'll take a bit more proficiency to do it without screwing something up.

It's simple in theory, but in execution it takes practice to do it well, especially with small circuits. If you only plan to mod your consoles, i'd recommend having someone else do it unless you become really confident in your abilities. This is especially true if you don't have a soldering iron and solder. The money spent in equipment could just as well go into a modding service.